Saturday 9th August 2025

 

Early August migration continues apace with the first Pied Fly of the autumn with a supporting cast of 20 Willow Warbler, 10 Lesser 'throat, 5 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler, Chiffchaff & Sedge Warbler. Southbound 48 Black-headed Gull, 13 Swallow, 3 Oyk, 3 Teal , 2 Common Gull, 2 Sand Martin & Med Gull plus a flock of 21 Cormorant coming straight in off for the winter. At least 2 juvenile Black Red loitering around the site although they can go awol into the Fort or Port then reappear. In the dragonfly department another Southern Migrant Hawker present.

Healthy numbers of Latticed Heath at the moment which is pleasing as this is yet another species that has ended up on the IUNC Red List as "near threatened".

Ringing: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, 2 Lesser Whitethroat, 2 Whitethroat, 1 Blackbird, 1 Black Redstart, 1 Great Tit, 1 Pied Flycatcher, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Sedge Warbler, 1 Wood Pigeon.

Friday 8th August 2025

 

Today's typically pleasant early August selection box includes 22 Willow Warbler, 4 Lesser 'throat, 3 Whitethroat, 3 Sedge Warbler, 2 Chiffchaff, Black Red & Yellow Wag. Southbound 9 Swallow, 3 Oyk, 2 Barwit, Sand Martin & Whimbrel.

Gymnancyla canella is a Nationally Scarce species living on Prickly Saltwort that we record roughly one year in three.

Ringing: 5 Willow Warbler, 1 Greenfinch, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Whitethroat.

Thursday 7th August 2025

 

Hard life !

Breezy morning. Migrants included 10 Willow Warbler, 5 Lesser 'throat, 4 Whitethroat, 2 Reed Warbler plus southbound 8 Black-headed Gull, 8 Sand Martin, 6 Swallow, 4 Oyk, 3 Curlew, 3 Redshank, 2 Sanderling & Golden Plover. A Common Scoter was sat offshore for a while. A couple of Clouded Yellow were on the reserve so, hopefully, it will turn into a better year for them.

Considering how few migrant moths were present this morning a Striped Hawk-moth was not expected as all our previous few records have been in the spring.

Ringing: 6 Willow Warbler, 3 Goldfinch, 3 Linnet, 2 Dunnock, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin, 1 Whitethroat.

Wednesday 6th August 2025

 

This mornings fare included 25 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, Lesser 'throat, Sedge Warbler, Wheatear & Whitethroat plus southbound 10 Sand Martin & Little Egret. 6 Barnacle Geese went north. Decent selection of butterflies included 2 Clouded Yellow.

Pediasia contaminella is a nationally scarce species that conveniently rests with its rear end in the air.

Ringing: 13 Willow Warbler, 1 Dunnock, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Robin.

Tuesday 5th August 2025

 

Bright n' breezy. More of the same with 20 Willow Warbler, 3 Reed Warbler & Whitethroat plus southbound 10 Swallow, 7 Sand Martin, 3 Oyk & a Barwit.

PM update: first juv Wheatear of the autumn on the seaward side of the Butts.

Sandhill Rustic is a nationally scarce saltmarsh species that wanders down here. First noted in the early 2000's with prior to that last century it is quite likely we called them Flounced Rustics as the literature on how to identify them didn't exist in those days. How times change !

Ringing: 4 Willow Warbler, 2 Reed Warbler, 1 Blue Tit.

Monday 4th August 2025

 

Wasp Spider.

Glorious start, then the wind starting picking up a couple of hours after dawn. Similar to yesterday, although a lot less of it, with 10 Willow Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler + a new dispersing juvenile Song Thrush worth a mention.

Marbled Clover is a nationally scarce species having turned up a few times this year although an annual appearance is far from guaranteed.

Ringing: 3 Willow Warbler, 2 Goldfinch, 1 Reed Warbler, 1 Song Thrush. 

Sunday 3rd August 2025

 

Pleasant start to the morning with at least 30 Willow Warblers and a supporting cast of 5 Reed Warbler, 2 Lesser 'throat, Whitethroat & Great Spotted Wood. Southbound 12 Swallow, 9 Sand Martin, 3 Great-crested Grebe, 2 Redshank, Common Gull & Curlew plus 17 Cormorant coming in off mid-morning suggesting that they are returning from their breeding grounds for the winter. 25 Sandwich & 5 Common Terns were feeding in the river mouth.

Obsidentify says Southern Small White although this species is not on the British List yet so is the AI correct ! It has spread into the Low Countries from Southern Europe in recent years so is expected to arrive sometime.

 (Evening update - Chris van Sway, Butterfly Conservation Europe Recorder, has confirmed this as a female Southern Small White).

Drinker is another moth species that failed to put in an appearance last year - although it never was annual in occurrence.

Ringing: 14 Willow Warbler, 4 Reed Warbler, 1 Chiffchaff, 1 Dunnock, 1 Lesser Whitethroat, 1 Robin.